Can you feel it Force Fans?

Welcome to another exciting year of Philadelphia Force National Profastpitch softball. Once again, this promises to be an outstanding year of high-paced, high-energy professional softball. We invite fans to come out to ECTB Stadium at BicentennialPark in Allentown, PA all summer long and cheer the Force onto the 2009 NPF Championship.

After last year’s tremendous season, we have our GOAL clearly on winning the NPF Cowles Cup at this year’s NCS in Akron, Ohio. In 2008, we set all new team high records in wins, offensive stats as well as in defense. The team will have a very new look, with only 8 players returning from the 2008 Squad. Several of our 2008 players retired and we traded one player, Chelsea Spencer, to Rockford. However, you will not be disappointed, as we have almost our entire Pitcher Pitching Staff returning in addition to two new pitchers, free agent Jessica Sallinger (formerly with Chicago) and Samantha Yodowitz (our third Southpaw) and outstanding NCAA Division II player from CW Post. In addition we have acquired 2008 Team NPF catcher Savannah Brown (re-uniting her with her college pitcher Jessica Sallinger, both from GA Tech) and (Utility Player) Audrey Rendon-LaFountain, both from Rockford. Another player, whom we acquired as a Free Agent is Jami Lobpries (OF), reuniting her with former college team mate at Texas A&M, Megan Gibson. The final three players that were acquired through Free Agency were Kellie Middleton (OF-Akron), DeDe Justice (Utility) Rockford, and Lauren Redfern (Catcher/Utility) JacksonvilleUniversity. This year, we also will introduce an entirely New Coaching Staff: Jeff Franquet (Head Coach), Joe DiPietro (Assistant) and Carl Taylor (Assistant). We have also added a new position in Coach of Mental Game Strategy, Jen Croneberger. We are happy that our entire Medical/Trainer team will return: Dr William Delong, MD and Jullie Robitaille (Trainer)

Once again the Force led all other NPF teams by placing Five players on the NPF All Star Team. Additionally, Katie Burkhart was named Pitcher of the year. This year should truly be the best in Competition, as it will mark the return of former Team USA players to NPF teams: Akron-Crystl Bustos, Jennie Topping, Chicago-Jennie Finch, Vicky Galindo, Rockford-Cat Osterman and Washington- Monica Abbott, Kelly Kretchman and Caitlin Lowe.

Look for Katie Burkhart and Megan Gibson to return stronger then ever, as both are pitching a full professional season in Japan. Also new this year will be the Force show on the road. Plan on attending our final game of our first home series vs. Chicago on June 20th at Hoffman Stadium in YorkPA, during the PA ASAState Championships. Probable pitchers will be Katie Burkhart vs. Jennie Finch. Also in the works are three exhibition games in Philadelphia area, Delaware, and Maryland. Stay tuned to the website for more information.

Satisfaction of all fans is of utmost importance for the team. Look for several new innovations in our Game Day operations, including better and more efficient ticketing operations. We will be offering expanded and better food & beverage services and of course, new merchandise that will be available at the Stadium or on-line, www.forcestuff.com. Look for and expanded line of new products as well as some new ones from partners: 3N2 sports, Majestic Athletic and Vintage Blue. New ticket plans are also available to our devoted fans wishing to take part in multiple games. Our competition will be the best yet, as we will face every team in the league home and away. Also returning is our local TV Sponsor TV-2 and look for expanded National TV coverage on ESPN, FSN and CSN. We also will enter our second year of Video Streaming of every Home game and several away games. So keep up with all innovations as we post announcements on the team’s website www.philadelphiaforce.com. Additionally, information is available at our Winter Office (215) 875-2800 until May 2009, thereafter at 610-841-SOFT (7638).

As the spring continues more announcements concerning the upcoming season will be posted on the team’s website. Please make note of the Force probable appearance at Drexel University on May 29th at 4PM in a Exhibition Game vs. The City Big Six All Stars followed by a Force Clinic. Also we return to CitizenBankPark on Saturday, May 30th for the Philadelphia Phillies Annual Women’s Softball Celebration. We will be there all Day conducting clinics and appearing later that PM at the game. In the meantime, please contact Erin Statmore at estatmore@philadelphiaforce.com for information regarding Camps and Clinics or better yet organize a custom one to your team or league’s needs.

Attending a Force game is a unique experience into itself. At a Force game, you may be selected to participate in many on-field promotions such as the dizzy bat race, “Name that Tune”, or the big red chair. Foul balls that go into the stands can be kept as a souvenir of your outing. These optic yellow softballs make a great item to use at the autograph session at the end of each game where every player on the Force is available to sign your Force merchandise or other items. As always there are great discounts available to your team and/or organization, simply e-mail Jan Ward at jward@philadelphiaforce.com. As always please contact Judy Kleinman for all of your promotion and food/beverage needs at jkleinman@philadelphiaforce.com. Please feel free to send me your comments both pro and con and I will endeavor to answer them all!

See you at the Stadium!

Tom Kleinman